Eldred Students Launch “Souper Bowl” Food Drive — Friendly Competition to Fight Hunger

Eldred Junior-Senior High School and GRM Elementary are turning the Super Bowl into a chance to give back. The schools are collecting canned goods in a friendly “Souper Bowl” competition running through Feb. 5.

“So, Eldred’s always done some sort of food drive — like we just finished one for Thanksgiving — and we decided we need something else to get back for the winter months,” said Tabitha Smith, one of the student organizers.

Marissa Gochenour said the friendly rivalry encourages more participation. “It gives more of an incentive to kids and their families and the community to give back because they feel the pride of winning the competition.”

The goal is simple: help anyone in need. “We really just want to help solve anyone’s hunger or issues that they have,” Gochenour said.

Donations can be dropped off at schools or school events like concerts and sports games. The drive has already seen a strong start — about 30 cans were collected at a recent basketball game.

The students hope the project inspires more community service across the county. “Hopefully, people want to get more involved with community service by knowing how much they’re helping people with this,” Gochenour said.

For Smith and Gochenour, giving back comes from personal experience. “I’ve participated in different community service events prior to this and I feel like some sort of joy that comes out of it to giving back,” Smith said.

Image:Eldred Student Council member Alexandra Strang, left, Co-President Tabitha Smith and Co-President Marissa Gochenour collect canned goods for the “Souper Bowl” food drive taken on by Eldred students across the high school and elementary school. (Contributed Photo)